|
EAA and its affiliate, the National
Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), will unveil the Learn to Fly
Center at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, July 23-29. The Center will provide
inspiration, information, guidance, and a community of support for
people who want to pursue the dream of becoming a pilot.
With more than 10,000 aircraft of all
varieties arriving throughout the week, AirVenture clearly appeals to
and draws the community of general-aviation pilots. The event’s rich
history, educational opportunities, entertainment, and spectacle also
draw in non-pilots by the thousands. Many of these skyward-gazing
enthusiasts have always wanted to fly but never believed the goal was
attainable.
“Our message to every prospective pilot
is, ‘It’s easier than you think!’ Every pilot had to start
somewhere, and there is no better place to discover the joy of learning
to fly than at Oshkosh,” said Master Flight Instructor Rusty Sachs,
NAFI’s executive director.
“The Learn to Fly Center will feature
certified flight instructors making presentations, answering questions,
and discussing the steps, training, knowledge, and skills required to
pursue the world’s most exhilarating pastime - flying for fun. We’ll
give prospective pilots a head start, including their first
ground-school session and logbook entry,” Sachs said.
The Center will also feature information
on sport pilot, the EAA-led movement that significantly lowers the time
commitment required to become a pilot, the cost of training, and the
price of new aircraft. “Sport pilot is the answer for those who are
looking to fly by themselves or with a single passenger. It’s about
seeing the landscape from above and flying for pleasure,” said EAA
President and AirVenture Chairman Tom Poberezny.
“The first step in a pilot’s journey
- achieving that first piloting certificate - has traditionally been the
most challenging. Sport pilot lowers the barriers, allowing the student
to become a pilot using less discretionary time and money. Now, flying
airplanes is a viable choice for outdoor motor-sport enthusiasts. And
membership in EAA provides information and community resources to fuel
that passion and help the student along,” Poberezny said.
Sport pilot training applies toward more
advanced certificates, so it is a great way to get started in aviation
for anyone - even those who ultimately want to advance and eventually
become commercial pilots. To facilitate the first step, the Learn to Fly
Center will provide FAA-authorized student sport pilot certificates (a
value of approximately $50) free of charge for EAA members.
Although the Center will focus its
attention on encouraging and equipping enthusiasts who are ready to take
the first step, the flight instructors there will also be available to
discuss all aspects of flight training, at all levels, with EAA members
who stop by.
“We encourage members to stop in and
chat with the flight instructors about any aspect of flight training at
any level of sophistication,” said Sachs, who is also featured on a
EAA AvCast audio podcast at www.airventure.org.
“And we’d be particularly pleased if they bring along an uninitiated
friend who might be a mere spark of inspiration and a little
encouragement away from getting started.”
In addition to the instructional
mini-forums and one-on-one discussions, the Center will provide printed
materials on learning to fly, will give away prizes, and will host
receptions with expert instructors and celebrity pilots.
Map
of Learn to Fly Center location
|
){kind=link}